Through Thursday, 458,798 people attended the first six public show days. That’s about 3 percent, or 12,500 people, more than the 446,222 in attendance for those days of the show in 2012.
DETROIT, MI- The 2013 North American International Auto Show is heading into its final days with attendance slightly up from the same time last year.
Through Thursday, 458,798 people attended the first six public show days. That’s about 3 percent, or 12,500 people, more than the 446,222 in attendance for those days of the show in 2012.
NAIAS officials attribute the slight increase to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, big debuts and other events happening around Cobo Center.
A home Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena tonight and a host of other events Friday are expected to help bump-up attendance this year even more.
Events at the 2013 Detroit auto show at Cobo Center include Detroit Tigers players touring the Chevrolet display from 11:45-12:45 p.m.; a question and answer with Detroit Grand Prix Drivers at noon; Pelican Pete, a Jimmy Buffet tribute show, at 1 p.m.; seven drawings for an iPod Nano from 1:45 p.m.-9 p.m.; and former “Detroit 1-8-7” actress Erin Cummings will be at the show at 7 p.m.
About 771,000 people attended the 2012 Detroit auto show, including 295,000 the final weekend, which was the best attendance since 2005.
This year’s NAIAS features more than 500 vehicles from more than 50 suppliers and manufacturers, including dozens of worldwide premiers. It is open to the public each day at 9 a.m. through Jan. 27 at Cobo Center, One Washington Blvd. in Detroit.
Some of this year’s most-popular vehicles at the 2013 NAIAS include the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ford Atlas (F-150) concept, new Acura NSX concept, 2014 Cadillac ELR and a host of concepts.
Here’s a look at attendance at the show since 2007 (including preview week):
2007- 705,226
2008- 702,814
2009- 650,517
2010- 714,137
2011- 735,370
2012- 770,932
2013- ?
Tickets for this year’s show are available at the door, online at www.naias.com and by calling. They cost $12 for adults; $6 for senior citizens and children 7 to 12; and are free to children 6 and under.
Email Michael Wayland: MWayland@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeWayland